If this week’s SEVEN STONESreview makes you curious about more Maine metal, make sure to check out WWW.DOWNEASTAGRESSION.COM, where you can download an issue of the zine, Down East Aggression, and get hip to the place “where rap goes to get fucked.” Also of note, the Hollis Center-based site/mag is in the process of categorizing all of Maine’s current metal bands into “black metal,” “dark metal,” “death metal,” etc., the obscurities of which are largely lost on this here “Sibilance” staff. Hey, we like metal and all, but this is beyond us.

Former SHUFFLIN’ TREMBLE/LOUD NEIGHBOR keyboardist JOE FARREN is back on the Portland scene, having finished up college and serving a stint in Boothbay Harbor honing his chops as a solo pianist, guitarist, harmonica player. He’s finished recording a new album with singer/songwriter TOM ACOUSTI turning the knobs and guest musicians that include LOST ON LIFTOFF’S WALT CRAVEN, longtime Maine guitarist ROBBIE COFFIN of the WICKED GOOD BAND and much else, and drummer MARTY JOYCE and bassist JUSTIN MAXWELL of the RED LIGHT REVUE (Maxwell also plays in the COMING GRASS, notably). You’ll also find Nashville studio musicians lending dobro, steel guitar, and fiddle. If that’s got you excited, check out the CD-release show at Slainte, July 15. No word on whether WJAB radio host and former Shufflin’ member CHRIS SEDANKA will be on hand.

If you’re looking for yet another thing to do on that cool date, July 7, 2007, you might want to check out ONE LONGFELLOWSQUARE, the newest old venue in Portland. The former Center for Cultural Exchange at the corner of Congress and High streets will host a band familiar with its haunts, BOREAL TORDU, who are touting a new lineup and some new songs you haven’t heard before. Tickets are, naturally, $7.